Report: Obama asks Pentagon to draw up plan for no-fly zone in Syria

posted at 6:01 pm on May 28, 2013 by Allahpundit

So yeah, looks like the White House probably approved of McCain’s trip.

Second look at isolationism?

The White House has asked the Pentagon to draw up plans for a no-fly zone inside Syria that would be enforced by the U.S. and other countries such as France and Great Britain, two administration officials told The Daily Beast…

President Obama’s dual-track strategy of continuing to pursue a political solution to the two-year-old uprising in Syria while also preparing for more direct U.S. military involvement includes authorizing the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the first time to plan for multilateral military actions inside Syria, the two officials said. They added that no decisions on actually using force have yet been made…

In a May 8 meeting of the National Security Council Principals Committee, the White House tasked several agencies with reporting on the pros and cons of two additional potential courses of action: arming vetted and moderate elements of the Syrian opposition, such as the Free Syrian Army, and formally recognizing the Syrian opposition council as the government of Syria, which would mean removing formal U.S. recognition of the Assad regime…

“This is a Kerry initiative,” an administration official said. “It’s also a test of the veracity of the Russian claims that they are committed to a peaceful outcome that reflects the will of the Syrian people.”

This is, I assume, chiefly a pressure tactic to make Assad nervous and concession-minded at the big peace powwow in Geneva next month. It’s also a lure to get the rebels to the table; right now they’re noncommittal about attending unless Assad first promises to step down, which won’t happen. As noted in the last post, everything’s coming up Bashar lately in Syria: Hezbollah’s vowed publicly to help him win the war, his troops are reclaiming territory needed to maintain their supply lines, and Russia’s sending anti-aircraft missiles to shoo the west away from imposing a no-fly zone. With that kind of momentum, Assad has no incentive to make a deal during peace talks. News about the Pentagon drawing up a NFZ plus the EU lifting its embargo on sending weapons to the rebels gives him something to think about. It’s Obama’s attempt at something of a game-changer without committing to actually doing anything.

Why would Assad take the threat seriously, though? The only way a NFZ will play politically for Obama with American voters is if it’s the same sort of turkey shoot that the Libyan NFZ was — which it won’t be. McCain told the Daily Beast that a realistic plan for a no-fly zone “would include hundreds of planes, and would be most effective if it included destroying Syrian airplanes on runways.” It’d be a huge, aggressive operation, and the presence of those Russian missiles means it might not be without casualties. How’s O going to explain American airmen being killed to influence a war between Sunni fundamentalists and a puppet of Shiite fundamentalists? Western air power would also likely be called on to shoot down Iranian aircraft carrying supplies to Assad, which would end the nuclear-talks charade between Iran and the west (admittedly, not a bad thing) and widen the war in unpredictable ways. Compared to the potential costs, the benefits of intervention are too gassy to rally the public solidly behind military action. War in Libya could be sold as payback for Qaddafi, a longtime enemy and terror supporter (who became a kinda sorta friend in the past decade), and as a humanitarian gesture towards Libyans, whose political sympathies were more obscure after decades of Qaddafism than the Syrian rebels’ are. Assad’s less well known to Americans and, after two years of Islamist flower under the Arab Spring, the fate of Syria after he’s gone is easy to predict. That’s a harsh landscape against which to make the case for a NFZ. Even McCain seems to think it’s a bluff.

If you missed this last month, watch a palpably skeptical Martin Dempsey explain the challenges of a no-fly zone.

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If this happens, since America will be backing Muslim Brotherhood/al Qaeda/other bloody Shariahists, and Russia will be backing a relative secularist protector of Christians, I will be rooting against my own country, what’s left of it, and for Russia.

From that angle China too. There are signs, around 100 miles close to the border “push this button for help”, one in Spanish and one in Chinese. The border patrol agents then help the Chinese cartels and other scum.

The USA self destructs, with directives from Obama and help from the R traitors. However, I blame the stupid voters.

Name one nation which is free or freer due to Obama, I triple dare all of you.

Obama is with his brothers. So is Hagel, McCain and Brennan, all s/b wearing turbans.

Schadenfreude on May 28, 2013 at 6:07 PM

Not really a matter of nations anymore. With the global world now it’s a matter of belief systems more than nation’s freedoms.

Of course, obama has been a bonanza for all of the worlds muslims. They can beat, rape, supress their women, kill their enemies, ruin all of our liberties and screw their camels all they want without fear of any sort of repercussion.

Speaking of animals… it’s been a bonanza for the bestiality set along with gays, pedophiles and other degenerates. If you question anything as being deviate then you are racist or bigoted.

Been a bonanza for anyone that doesn’t feel like working, breeding like a rabbit, “finding yourself” and the “liberal/progressive” set. No need to feel guilt or shame if you leave trillions in debt to your kids and grandkids along with a country that makes sodom and gommora look like a preachers convention. It’s all good now.

He’s the best. Especially if you worship satan and worry only about your sick degenerate urges and desires.

So, which of these two sides is actually worth helping? Syria the government, a known state sponsor of terrorism and home of Baathists, or Syria the rebellion, mostly al Qaeda-affiliated and unstable as water?

Now, if you want to make a case for equipping both sides with mortars and standing back, I might be with you.

The sad thing is that the tactic will work. It always does, thanks to the Liberal MSM which really doesn’t want to believe their Savior is just another sleazy politician. In that sense, I can’t blame Obama for using a tactic that’s guaranteed to work.

The USA self destructs, with directives from Obama and help from the R traitors. However, I blame the stupid voters.

Schadenfreude on May 28, 2013 at 6:16 PM

The USA has been self destructing for a long time. Clinton destroyed decency in the White House and self defense when he refused to take out bin laden after he declared war on us. Bush destroyed America’s sovereignty when he refused to close the southern border. Obama has destroyed what remains with his attacks on the truth – at every opportunity and the rule of law. And his support for Islamists.

I blame everyone who did not enthusiastically support Romney. He was our last chance.

McCain told the Daily Beast that a realistic plan for a no-fly zone “would include hundreds of planes, and would be most effective if it included destroying Syrian airplanes on runways.” It’d be a huge, aggressive operation, and the presence of those Russian missiles means it might not be without casualties. How’s O going to explain American airmen being killed to influence a war between Sunni fundamentalists and a puppet of Shiite fundamentalists? Western air power would also likely be called on to shoot down Iranian aircraft carrying supplies to Assad, which would end the nuclear-talks charade between Iran and the west (admittedly, not a bad thing) and widen the war in unpredictable ways.

Not to mention that once committed to this level of intervention there would be no easy way out.

If you missed this last month, watch a palpably skeptical Martin Dempsey explain the challenges of a no-fly zone.

Skepticism is always how the military responds publicly, and exactly how you would want the military to respond publicly. In case you don’t understand the reasoning behind this technique; Public skepticism keeps the the enemy guessing, and unsure of intent.

McCain is a lackey, always searching for someway to demonstrate credibility. He is dishonest, and his intent almost indecipherable (outside of chasing polls). A useful idiot is more descriptive.

Obama, and his administration are out of their depth with the Middle East and their amateurish actions endanger the United States and our allies. Sending a simpering buffoon like McCain to sneak into Syria for a photo-op with Rebels/Jihadists looks like a attempt to garner support among Republican legislators to head off probable anti-intervention sentiment.

If this happens, since America will be backing Muslim Brotherhood/al Qaeda/other bloody Shariahists, and Russia will be backing a relative secularist protector of Christians, I will be rooting against my own country, what’s left of it, and for Russia.
VorDaj on May 28, 2013 at 6:13 PM

I’m with you.

If only there was some responsible way to not pay attention to the mess these guys are making of everything.

We have no friends in Syria, and if the Russians want to waste weapons and troops fighting pro-Iranian rebels, let them.

Better idea: if France is involved, France has a long-standing alliance with the Christian population of Lebanon. Let French troops drive Assad’s forces out of Lebanon, creating a free buffer state between Syria and Israel.

As for Syria, let the strongest side win. Between Terror-dee and Terror-dum, let ‘em have at it, with US on the sidelines.

Gee, a no-fly zone. Wonder what could go wrong? No way things could escalate is there? Just how are we supposed to afford this? Hundreds of planes costs lots and I mean lots of money to fly these sorts of missions. The chances of a plane getting shot down will be pretty good too. So unless we do an all out destroy everything type operation this could be bad and guess what? We will own the mess that leaves behind to include the next civil war that will erupt when Assad is gone. Does this administration really think all those factions will get along after the Alawites are out of power? Morons. Stay the hell out of that mess.

Gee, a no-fly zone. Wonder what could go wrong? No way things could escalate is there? Just how are we supposed to afford this? Hundreds of planes costs lots and I mean lots of money to fly these sorts of missions. The chances of a plane getting shot down will be pretty good too. So unless we do an all out destroy everything type operation this could be bad and guess what? We will own the mess that leaves behind to include the next civil war that will erupt when Assad is gone. Does this administration really think all those factions will get along after the Alawites are out of power? Morons. Stay the hell out of that mess.

major dad on May 28, 2013 at 7:17 PM

Sequestration will prevent this from happening.

Nah, nm. Just print moar monies.

For real: I would like to think that this will end the legacy of anyone involved. Teaming up with AQ just seems unforgiveable with the electorate. But seeing as how there are 4-5 scandals going on and the One is above it all, he’ll probably get a pass anyway. Sheesh, I write myself to a bad mood.

Outrageously stupid to implement a very costly and dangerous no-fly zone. For what? To protect a lot of death-to-America Muslims who are no friend of us? Maybe Obama is attempting distractions from his scandals, or maybe it’s just another way he can put America in harms way. He must really dislikes this country.

UK would be advised to sit this one out and let Obama stew in his own juice. There is no national interest (for anyone) in Syria.

Being supported by France, a dream-team for Kerry, is not exactly the coalition anyone seeks.

As ever, a senseless foreign policy leads to death on a large scale.

virgo on May 29, 2013 at 1:38 AM

Actually not even Hollande is that dumb to support an intervention in Syria. So, O’s on his own if he really wants this ‘adventure’….Besides, where would Hollande get the money for any sort of operatin in Syria, they are selling the Elysee is selling their precious reserve wine cases as we speak :), as part of the ‘austerity’ program initiated by his govt :)…they will need a loooot of reserve vintage cases to pay for an ill-advised Syrian intervention :)